What is the term for an organism that cannot create its own food? 🔊
An organism that cannot create its own food is termed a heterotroph. Unlike autotrophs, which can produce energy through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs obtain energy by consuming other organisms, whether through predation, scavenging, or mutualistic relationships. This group includes animals, fungi, and many bacteria. Heterotrophs play a crucial role in food webs, recycling nutrients and providing energy for higher trophic levels. Their survival depends on the availability of food sources in their environment.
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